Kedarnath Closing Date 2026, Opening Date & Registration Guide

Last updated: 9 October 2026. We update this guide whenever the temple committee announces new dates.

Quick answer

• Kedarnath closing date 2026: expected Wednesday, 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj), after the morning puja. The temple committee formally confirms it on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026.
• Kedarnath opening date 2026: the doors opened on 22 April 2026 at 8:00 AM.
• Registration: compulsory and free for every pilgrim, at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app.
• Opening date 2027: will be announced on Mahashivratri 2027. Expect late April or early May.

Kedarnath dates 2026 at a glance

• Opening date announced: 15 February 2026 (Mahashivratri), at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath
• Gangotri & Yamunotri opened: 19 April 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya, start of the Char Dham Yatra)
• Kedarnath opened: 22 April 2026, 8:00 AM
• Badrinath opened: 23 April 2026
• Closing date announcement: 20 October 2026 (Vijayadashami / Dussehra)
• Kedarnath closing (expected): 11 November 2026, Bhai Dooj, morning
• Winter seat: Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath (November to April)

Kedarnath closing date 2026: what to know

Kedarnath always closes on Bhai Dooj, two days after Diwali. Diwali falls on 8 November 2026, so the doors are expected to close on 11 November 2026. The Badri-Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC) announces the exact date and time on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026. We will update this page that day.

On closing day the doors shut after the early-morning puja. The Panchmukhi doli (the deity's palanquin) then begins its journey down to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, where Baba Kedar is worshipped through the winter. Many devotees time their visit to see the doli procession.

Planning a visit before closing?

• Reach Kedarnath at least a day before closing day. Darshan stops once the closing rituals begin.
• Late October and November are cold. Nights at the temple drop below freezing, so carry a heavy jacket, thermals, gloves, a woollen cap and warm socks.
• Crowds are much smaller than in May–June, but helicopter services and shops start winding down in the last weeks.
• Snow can come early. Check the weather and road status the night before you start the trek.

Kedarnath opening date 2027

The opening date for the next season is announced on Mahashivratri at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, after the traditional panchang calculation. The doors usually open in late April or early May, a few days after Akshaya Tritiya, when the Char Dham Yatra begins. For reference:

• 2026: opened 22 April
• 2027: to be announced on Mahashivratri 2027. This page will be updated the same day.

April and May are the busiest weeks of the year, so register, and book transport and stays, as soon as the date is out.

Kedarnath registration 2026: step by step

Since the 2013 floods, the Uttarakhand government has made registration compulsory for every pilgrim, from infants to senior citizens. It is free. It lets the authorities manage crowds and reach you quickly in an emergency. You will be checked at points along the route, including at Sonprayag before the trek.

Ways to register

• Website: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in
• App: Tourist Care Uttarakhand (Android and iOS)
• WhatsApp: send YATRA to +91-8394833833 and follow the prompts
• Helpline: toll-free 0135-1364
• Offline counters: set up at transit points such as Haridwar and Rishikesh. In 2026 they opened on 17 April, but they get crowded. Register online if you can.

How to register online

1. Open registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in and sign up with your mobile number. You will verify it with an OTP.
2. Choose Char Dham Yatra and add every member of your group. Each person needs their own entry.
3. Fill in name, age, gender, address, mobile number and an emergency contact for each pilgrim.
4. Upload a photo and a government photo ID for each person. Aadhaar is used to verify identity.
5. Select the date you plan to visit Kedarnath (and any other dham).
6. Submit and download the yatra registration letter with its QR code. Keep it on your phone and carry a printout.

Registration tips

• The ID you register with must match the ID you carry, including for helicopter boarding.
• If your plans change, update your travel date on the portal instead of just showing up on a different day.
• Pilgrims on the tougher Kedarnath route may be asked to take a basic health check. People with heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions should consult a doctor before the trip.
• Registration is free. Ignore anyone who asks for money to "register" you.

Kedarnath helicopter booking

• Book only on the official IRCTC portal, heliyatra.irctc.co.in. Your yatra registration must be complete first.
• Helipads: Sersi, Phata and Guptkashi. The fare depends on the helipad and is roughly ₹6,000–13,000 per person for a return trip, plus fees. Check the portal for current prices.
• Seats sell out within minutes of each booking window opening, especially for May–June.
• Beware of fake helicopter websites, Facebook pages and WhatsApp "agents". Never pay for a helicopter ticket anywhere except the official portal.

How to reach Kedarnath

• Haridwar / Rishikesh → Sonprayag: about 210–230 km by road via Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi (8–10 hours).
• Sonprayag → Gaurikund: about 5 km by government shared jeep (15–20 minutes). Private vehicles stop at Sonprayag.
• Gaurikund → Kedarnath: about 16 km trek (6–9 hours up). Ponies, palkis (palanquins) and pithoo (porters) are available at fixed government rates.
• Nearest airport and railway: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun; Rishikesh and Haridwar railway stations.

Best time to visit Kedarnath

• May–June: pleasant weather, peak crowds. Book everything early.
• July–August (monsoon): landslide risk and frequent road blocks. Best avoided.
• September–October: clear skies, smaller crowds and green valleys. Our favourite window.
• Early November until closing: very cold, very peaceful, and the chance to see the closing ceremony.

Packing checklist

• Yatra registration letter (QR) and original photo ID for each person
• Warm layers: thermals, fleece, down or padded jacket, gloves, woollen cap
• Rain jacket or poncho, and good trekking shoes with grip
• Personal medicines, ORS, a basic first-aid kit and a power bank
• Cash. Network and UPI can be patchy on the trek.

Frequently asked questions

When will Kedarnath close in 2026?

It is expected to close on 11 November 2026 (Bhai Dooj), after the morning puja. The official date and time are announced on Vijayadashami, 20 October 2026.

When will Kedarnath open in 2027?

The date will be announced on Mahashivratri 2027. Doors usually open in late April or early May. We'll update this guide as soon as it is announced.

Is registration compulsory for Kedarnath?

Yes. Every pilgrim must register, and it is free. You can register on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app, or via WhatsApp (send "YATRA" to +91-8394833833).

Can I visit Kedarnath without registration?

No. Registration is checked along the route, and helicopter tickets can't be booked without it.

Where is Baba Kedar worshipped in winter?

At the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, from closing day until the doors reopen in spring.

Plan your Kedarnath yatra with TrekkingMantra

Don't want to juggle registration, transport, stays and trek logistics yourself? Our team runs group departures with a trip captain for every vehicle. See our upcoming trips or send us an enquiry and we'll plan your yatra around the official dates.